Editor's Note by Takeshi HIRATA

It is the first time that a full-scale retrospective exhibition of Kazuo Shiraga (1924-2008), who is known as a pioneer of action painting in Japan, is held in the Kanto district. Indeed, here, I have used the phrase “action painting” without any doubt, but it should be noted that we have missed an opportunity to look at changes in his creative styles while we have been interested only in his unique technique that he drew pictures with his feet. Nevertheless, Shiraga’s pursuit of his own thought (trial) about painting is still remains in his works which were created over sixty years. What we are required to do now is facing not with his technique behind his creations but with his paintings in front of us. This exhibition would show a part of Shiraga’s creative activities clearly through the following six sections: "Early Works", "Image of Blood", "Esoteric Buddhism Series", "Yearning for History", "Diversification of Approaches - Subject/Technique/Material" and "Reference". In fact, Kazuo Shiraga’s works can often be seen at permanent exhibitions in domestic museums, but we have few opportunities to look at a number of his creations together. Therefore, this exhibition would give you a really valuable opportunity. (Translated by Nozomi Nakayama)